CLEAR

New marriage therapists registry

A new therapist-finder registry is being launched this week by William Doherty, marriage and family therapist at the University of Minnesota.  The National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists will only include licensed therapists who have signed a values statement supporting marriage.  The registry is a response to the debate among practitioners over whether a therapist should actively try to save a marriage or whether they should remain neutral and allow that divorce may be the best option for the couple.  "The registry is about training and competence and about values, because most couples assume the therapist is pro-marriage, but many therapists feel they have to be neutral," says Doherty.

Read the full USA Today article.

ON College acts against pharmacy with counterfeit drugs

The Ontario College of Pharmacists has filed a court order to close the King West Pharmacy in Hamilton, which was allegedly selling counterfeit versions of the heart medication, Norvasc.   Della Croteau, the college's deputy registrar, said, "We consider this very serious; it's the first incidence we know of where actual counterfeit medication was found in the Canadian drug distribution system."

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had earlier seized a quantity of the fake medication while executing a search warrant issued against the pharmacy. RCMP constable Judy Laurance said that such "medication is being passed off to the public under legitimate brand names when in fact they are cheap 'knock-offs', some with little or no medicinal ingredient."

For current information, Canadian consumers can visit Worth Knowing, the Ontario College of Pharmacists's public information site, while pharmacists should visit http://www.ocpinfo.com/

The National Post: Heat on pharmacy that sold phony drugs

In the United States, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) yesterday launched an online research clearinghouse so patients and consumers can access the opinions of experts on issues associated with importing medicines. The Web address is www.buysafedrugs.info. 

HROBC quality assurance report

Quality Assurance in the Regulation of Health Professions in British Columbia: Philosophical Approach, Principles and Assumptions, published in February 2005 by the Health Regulatory Organizations of British Columbia (HROBC) is a considered response to the requirement that Canadian health regulatory colleges must each establish a program of quality assurance.

Published in February 2005, the report discusses an emphasis shift from quality assurance to "continuous quality improvement" and proposes a set of principles for the promotion of an effective quality assurance approach that encompasses all appropriate concepts.

The report credits the Pew Health Profession Commission's Taskforce on Health Care Workforce regulation with a "particularly significant impact upon health professional regulation in Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario with their similar legislative frameworks." (as a aside: CLEAR's executive director served on this taskforce, which was quite a controversial group at the time).

Read the full HROBC report:
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NY Bar exam passing grade raised

The state Court of Appeals in New York has approved a 5-point increase in the Bar exam passing grade, which will start with the July 2005 exam.  However, the Board of Law Examiners' plan for further 5-point increases, one in July 2006 and one in July 2007, has been suspended.

Read the full article.

OK real estate bill signed

Oklahoma Senate Bill 673 has been signed into law, identifying minimum duties required of real estate license holders (brokers) in the state.  The consumer protections were previously outlined in the Broker Relationships Act and are reiterated by the new law.

Read the full article.

EU maintains lawyer privilege safeguards

In an amendment to its directive, the European Parliament has supported allowing lawyers to claim the defense of legal privilege if they alert their clients that they have made a report against them of a suspicious transaction to the national authorities.  Various lawyers groups support Parliament's recognition of the importance of lawyer/client privilege.

Read the full article.

Illinois Payday Loan Reform Act

Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed into law the Payday Loan Reform Act.  The new laws will be enforced by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation which will also license payday lenders.

Read the full article.

New laws in Hawaii

Relating to Public Members - Allows two members of a Board or Commission to discuss matters relating to official business without violating sunshine laws as long as they do not constitute a quorum and do not solicit each other's votes.  Final Board or Commission actions taken in violation of open meeting and public notice requirements may be voidable upon proof of violation, rather than requiring proof that a "willful" violation occurred.  ACT 84(05)  HB551  HD1  SD2  CD1  Signed 5/31/05 (Signed by Lt. Governor Aiona, Acting Governor)

Best and worst nursing schools list

Based on data from 1999 to 2003, lists have been released indicating the 20 best performing nursing schools and the 20 worst performing schools in the Philippines.  One list includes schools with over 100 examinees, and the other includes schools with less than 100 examinees.  The best performing schools ranged from 61 to 99 percent of graduates passing the licensure examinations.  The worst performing schools ranged from zero to 31 percent of graduates passing the exam.

Read the list.

Quebec ban on private medical care struck down

In a Supreme Court decision, Quebec's prohibition on private health-care insurance was ruled as going against Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and was struck down.  Prime Minister Paul Martin maintains that the public health care system will remain strong, but pro-medicare groups fear that the ruling could open the door for a two-tiered health care system.

Read the full article.